Vote tallying machine



Nov. 16, 1965 Filed Aug. 7, 1964 10 Sheets-Sheet l FROM BIT WORDCOMPARISON COUNTER I92 COUNTER 0 NETWORK I (I96 BALLOT SCANNING TIMINGHEADS I 2 COUNTER TIMING TIMING COLUMN I TO WRITE A LoGIc scANNINGCOLUMN 2 To WRITE B CIRCUIT STATAC'ZER LoGIc GATING COLUMN 3 NETWORK TOWRITE c LOGIC COLUMN 4 TO WRITE 0 LOGIC FIG I5 ADDRESS 32 r as COUNTERSCAN DISPLAY SYSTEM INVENTOR GEROLD HOLZER BY NORMAN WALKER HARRYWILCOCK Nov. 16, 1965 G. HOLZER ETAL VOTE TALLYING MACHINE Filed Aug. 7,1964 .10 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 20 INPUT [66E LOGIC |66H Rcl ANALYZING I62[628 CIRCUIT DECODE CIRCUIT 0 5 I FIGIO INVENTOR. GEROLD HOLZER NORMANWALKER BY HARRY WILCOCK Nov. 16, 1965 G. HOLZER ETAL 3,218,439

VOTE TALLYING MACHINE Filed Aug. 7, 1964 1Q Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG3INVENTOR. GEROLD HOLZER NORMAN WALKER BY HARRY WILCOCK G. HOLZER ETALVOTE TALLYING MACHINE Nov. 16, 1965 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 7, 1964FIG4 ii I.

0 AMII OOOO o o o o o o INVENTOR. GEROLD HOLZER NORMAN WALKER BY HARRYWILCOCK FIG 9 Nov. 16, 1965 HOLZER ETAL 3,218,439

VOTE TALLYING MACHINE Filed Aug. 7, 1964 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG5INVENTOR.

GEROLD HOLZER NORMAN WALKER BY HARRY WILCOCK G. HOLZER ETAL VOTETALLYING MACHINE Filed Aug. '7, 1964 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 MEMORY IssA DRUM\86A A I60 A AMPLIFIER DRIVER (I9OA l82A l84A A READ A WR'TE WRITE AFLIP-FLoP LoGIc FLIP-FLOP FIG ll DRUM Is" a "05" FoR wRITING IN PARITYREGISTER 84p s INPUTS IsI WRTE P WP 0 FROM THE AI-I PARITY FLIP FLOPwRITE FLIP FLoPs GENERATOR We '74 lllsll a llosll CHECKING PARITY BITSSTORED ON DRUM e INPUTS 2nd FRoM THE A-H PARITY READ FLIP FLoPsGENERATOR IF ANY DIsAGREEMENT PARITY \ZIB coMPARIsoN PROGRAM ERRoR Ills"allosll gop FROM THE DRUM READ P 1 FLIP-FLOP INVENTOR. PAR|TY BITSGEROLD HOLZER FROM THE DRUM FIG l8 NORMAN WALKER HARRY WILCOCK FiledAug. 7, 1964 G. HOLZER ETAL VOTE TALLYING MACHINE 1Q Sheets-Sheet '7READ E. 20 READ F r l INVERTER READ GATING READ I-I- 209 BINARY I 2 VOTENETWORK 3 COUNTER II II ee /T COUNT UP NOTALL Is COUNT UP ,-2Io

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I I I I I I I I I I H INVENTOR. SIGNAL TO I I I II J GEROLD HOLZERsTATIcIzERs NORMAN WALKER HARRY WILCOCK Nov. 16, 1965 G. HOLZER ETAL3,218,439

VOTE I'ALLYING MACHINE Filed Aug. '7, 1964 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 B0 B9 WIW50 O O O O O O O O O Q O O O O I' I BIT WORD I DECODE DECODE i O O O OO O O D O O O O O I l BIT WORD I CP COUNTER COUNTER I L J FIG l3 BALLOTTIMING COUNTER T O G O O Q D O O O O O O I DECODE I O O O O O D O I O OO O ggs mfifi BALLOT TIMING COUNTER I I I I96 FROM SLIDER SWITCHES I02FIG l4 DRUM o COMPARISON Cp o COUNTER 0 NETWORK J M90 96 I98 (I TIMING$3211-- MARK COUNTER TO WRITE A LOGIC 2 STATICIZERBI 205 Q Z GATINGCOMPARISON ERROR NETWORK -ISDA READ INVENTOR.

A GEROLD HOLZER FF NORMAN WALKER BY HARRY wILcocK FIG l6 4,, I W

United States Patent 3,218,439 VOTE TALLYING MACHINE Gerold Holzer,Norman Walker, and Harry Wilcock, Orange County, Calif., assignors toVotronics, Inc., San Diego, Calif.

Filed Aug. 7, 1964, Ser. No. 388,150 23 Claims. (Cl. 235-61.7)

This invention relates to an automatic counting machine and moreparticularly to a machine which scans a paper election ballot andautomatically tallies every mark on such paper ballot representing avote properly cast, during a single pass of the ballot through themachine.

Many voting districts in the United States of America and particularlyin the State of California, employ paper ballots for use by voters atelections which include many possible voting combinations. These ballotsare intended to be hand-marked by the individual voter in a pollingboth. Following the close of the polls, the laborious, expensive andtime-consuming task of counting the votes for each of the candidates forthe many offices, and propositions submitted to the voters thencommences. In addition to being expensive and time consuming, thehand-counting of votes is subject not only to normal human error, butalso to abnormal error introduced by the fatigue and strain of countinglate into the night.

While mechanical and electromechanical voting machines have long beenavailable as replacement for the paper ballots, for recording thepreferences of the individual votes, such machines are generally veryexpensive and often do not possess the flexibility of a paper ballot.

The machine of the present invention eliminates all of these problems.Due to its speed, compactness, ease of use and relatively low cost, itpermits many polling places to employ a relatively few number of workersand machines to count all of the votes following the closing of thepolls. The voter need not be concerned with changing his method ofvoting, the paper ballot may still be marked in the usual manner. It isonly after the voters have voted that the machin of the presentinvention is brought into play.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a self-containedunit, which reads a conventional paper ballot at a rapid rate andaccumulates and stores the total vote for each candidate and for each ofthe other measures voted upon the electorate. At a later time theindividual totals, stored in the machine can be displayed or printed outin a permanent record.

While prior art machines which read and count paper ballots, do exist,as for example the machine described in the patent to Fechter et al.,Patent No. 2,940,663, issued June 14, 1960, such machines have been verylarge and therefore relatively immobile and expensive to purchase,operate and maintain. But most unfortunately, such prior art machinesusually require the services of a professional programmer before theycan be used, which can only add to the cost and complexity of their use.The programming for these prior art machines is generally carried out ina manner typical of most digital computers; that is the program for thereading of a given set of ballots, must be introduced into the machineby a patch board, by the setting of potentiometer or the manual settingand adjusting of individual reading elements, and the like.

The machine of the present invention on the other hand, may beprogrammed very quickly and simply by the operator of the machine, whoneed not be a professional programmer and in fact may be a relativelyuntrained and unskilled poll worker. Programming is accomplishedautomatically, photo-electrically; by merely feeding the so-calledprogramming sheets through the machine in the exact same manner that thepaper ballots to be counted would be fed into the machine.

This novel feature of the present invention need not necessarily belimited to use in a vote counting machine. The same mode of operationalprogramming may be employed in any other computers where it is desiredto program the computer directly from a printed or written form.

The key to the simplicity of operation, compactness, and ease of use ofthe present invention resides in the utilization of high speed digitalcomputer techniques in conjunction with modern web transport mechanismsand display devices. Prior art vote counting or ballot tabulatingmachines such as are described in the patent to Keith, Patent No.2,750,108, or Fechter et al., Patent No. 2,940,663, provided a separatesensing unit and associated electro-mechanical counter for each possiblevoting position on the ballot. Each ballot had to be stopped, in aproper location and each voting position was read, simultaneously.

According to th present invention, a single scanning element is providedfor each of the columns of a ballot, and each such scanning element isshared, in common with some fifty electronic counters. Each of thesecounters consists of several magnetizable spots on a rotatable magneticdrum which are written into and read from by electronic circuits whichare connected to the scanning elements. Other electronic counter areprovided to keep track of the address, or relative location of each ofthe counters stored in the memory. Since each of the stored counters hasa unique address, or relative location of each of the counters stored inthe memory, information can be entered into the counters or extractedfrom them for display purposes, virtually at will.

Timing marks are printed in the margin of th ballot to synchronize thescanning operation and are counted in a set of address counters, thecount of which is continuously compared to that of another set ofaddress counters connected to count timing pulses from the serialmemory. Therefore, any voting location on a ballot can be uniquelycorresponded to a counter in the memory. The presence or absence of avote mark in each location can then be properly entered into the storedcounter when the addresses of both counters coincide.

When all of the ballots have been processed, a novel, electromechanicaladdress generator is used to select a particular stored counter for thedisplay of its contents. The selector mechanism includes a sliding barhaving a window therein which is positioned over a sample or replicaballot placed in a suitable location on the machine. Associated withthis sliding indicator is a form of position to digital encoder which,through the use of a binary-coded track and a plurality of snap actionswitches, generates a unique binary code combination corresponding toeach possible location on the ballot. This binary count is applieddirectly to the addressing counter in place of the timing mark input andpresets the counter to an address corresponding to the selectedcandidate location. The contents of this counter are compared to thecontents of the memory address counter, and when the count are identicalthe correct stored counter can be called upon to display its contents.

The combination, therefore, of a simple, reliable ballot transportmechanism, a limited number of scanning elements and electronic circuitsenabling these limited number of scanning elements to be time shared bya multiplicity of individual stored counters, enables the presentinvention to provide a universal counter of widespread applicabilitythat is ideally suited for the tallying of votes on ballots. Additionalfeatures take advantage of legally imposed voting procedures, such asthe re- 3 moval, by an election ofiicial, of a corner of each ballotbefore it is placed in the ballot box, to provide a positive method ofassuring that the ballots are fed properly into the machine.

To simplify the operation of the machine and to avoid confusingnon-technically trained precinct workers, the machine of the presentinvention has been designed so that after the machine has beenprogrammed for the ballots of a particular precinct and all of theballots have been processed, the accumulated totals for each candidateor proposition can be displayed a many times as are necessary for thepolling place to prepare its written report.

When the totals are no longer necessary, and the machine is to be usedfor the ballots of a new precinct or, for example, in the case of aprimary election, the ballots of a second political party, the machinemust be physically disabled, that is, the power interrupted, beforereprogramming can take place. The temporary interruption of powerreturns the machine to its warm-up condition, at which time allinformation recorded in the memory is erased.

The procedure for programming for a new ballot format is identical tothat described above. Furthermore, the act of turning off the machine,momentarily, is an event of sufiicient significance, so that allprecinct workers assigned to the polling place can satisfy themselvesthat totals from an earlier tabulation will not be carried into a latertabulation.

In a preferred embodiment, the vote counter of the present invention isadjusted to scan the particular column arrangement for the ballots ofeach election and is connected to a conventional 110 volt A.C. outlet.Upon receipt of ballots from a precinct, the ballots are compared withProgramming Sheets and the Read-Out Sheet for the precinct to insurethat all are correct. The precinct number and political party must beidentical on the ballots, Programming Sheets, and the Read-Out Sheet.

The Read-Out Sheet is placed in position by sliding it under a plasticcover which is located on top of the machine, and is adjusted so thatthe bottom of the opening of a slide bar reader, when positioned in thefirst office location, shows the top of the first black timing marklocated on the left side of the Read-Out Sheet. Aligning pins may beprovided to aid in positioning and to minimize slippage. The slide barcan be positioned through several locations to make sure that theread-out bar correctly frames the names of the candidates throughout thelength of the ballot.

A control switch is initially placed in the Program position and theunit is ready to be turned on placing the Power switch in the ONposition. After a delay of approximately ten seconds, a green READYlight will come on and a light located to the left of the numericaldisplay will appear under a legend of Feed Program Sheet Number 1. Sixlights are provided, two for each of the Programming Sheets that must befed.

The first Programming Sheet Number 1 is fed into the feed slot, with thetop of the ballot first into the unit and all printing visible to theoperator. After the first Programming Sheet Number 1 has been fed, thesecond light under Feed Program Sheet Number 1. will be illuminated toeither feed Programming Sheet Number 1 into the unit a second time oruse a second Programming Sheet Number 1 which has been independentlyprepared.

After the two processings of Programming Sheet Number 1, the programlight will advance to Feed Programming Sheet Number 2. Programming SheetNumber 2 is then fed through the machine. A second number 2 programmingsheet must be fed and, the instruction will step to Feed ProgrammingSheet Number 3, which are then fed into the machine. A total of sixscannings have been completed after which all of the programming lightsshould be out.

The control switch, which is set on Program is next turned to the Readposition and a light (on the right of the numerical read-out) will be onunder the legend Feed Ballots. The electronic vote counter is now readyto read ballots.

The ballots may be fed as rapidly as desired, one at a time, with thetop of each ballot being fed first into the unit. The printing should beup and, with the ballots fed in this manner, the corner from which thetear-out stub has been removed will be in the upper left. After eachballot has been fed, a numerical display will indicate the total numberof ballots which have been processed by the machine.

After all ballots have been processed, the following procedure isfollowed to obtain the total number of votes cast for each candidate orissue. The control switch is advanced from the Read position to the 1position which represents the first ballot column and a light under thehead of the first column of the read-out sheet will be lit, confirmingthat it is the column from which the totals are to be obtained. Theslide-bar is positioned to frame a candidates name in the cut-out of theslide bar. Depressing a Read button causes a display of the total numberof votes for this candidate. The Read button must be released before thenext total can be displayed. Sliding the bar into position to frame thenext name and again depressing the Read button causes the total numberof votesfor the next candidate to be displayed. Repeat this operationuntil all the totals for the first column have been displayed.

In order to read totals from the second ballot column, the controlswitch should be advanced to 2, and the light at the head of this columnWill come on. With the slider, frame the first candidates name, anddepress the Read button to display the vote total for the candidate. Thesame procedure is followed with the additional candidates in the column.

In a similar fashion the totals for each candidate or proposition in theremaining columns of the ballot may be displayed. At any time, theoperator may go back to any ballot item to reconfirm the totals.

In order to proceed with the next precinct, or, in the case of aprimary, another party return the control switch to Program and turn offthe power switch. The entire procedure described for the first precinctis repeated to obtain the new totals.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel,automatic programming routine for a digital computer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vote countingmachine for paper ballots having a novel programming mechanism.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved votecounting machine for paper ballots possessing very high reading accuracyand reliability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vote tallyingmachine of the character described which is relatively inexpensive tomanufacture and maintain.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a votecounting machine for tallying scrambled paper ballots, which is compact,portable, simple to operate.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a votetallying machine of the character described which will permit a read-outin direct, readable, decimal form of the accumulated vote total as toany given candidate at any desired time.

It is yet an additional object of the present invention to provide auniversal counter in which a plurality of storage counter cells share,in common, electronic reading, addressing, and counting circuits for theaccumulator of totals within the store counter.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide acounter for recording the presence or absence of marks in predeterminedlocation on a record, and for displaying the accumulated total of marksin a particular position of a plurality of similar records.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a vote tallyingmachine having a single set of reading elements for successivelydetecting all of the voting marks made on a ballot and for accumulatingand selectively displaying the totals of marks in a particular locationof a plurality of ballots.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of theinvention, both as to its organization and method of operation, togetherwith further object and advantages thereof will be better understoodfrom the following description considered in connection with theaccompanying drawing in which a presently preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expresslyunderstood, however, that the drawing is for the purpose of illustrationand description only, and is not intended as a definition of the limitsof the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vote tallying system according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 includes FIG. 2a, which is a top view of a suitable ballot andFIG. 2b which is a top view of a corresponding Programming Sheet;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a vote tallying machine according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a ballot transport mechanism suitablefor use in the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the transport mechanism of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a scanning head used in the presentinvention taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 in the direction of theappended arrows;

FIG. 7 is a front View of a scanning head of FIG. 5 taken along line 7-7in the direction of the appended arrows;

FIG. 8 is a top, isometric view of the read-out and display portion ofthe vote tallying machine of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a position encoder used for read-out anddisplay;

FIG. 10 is an idealized block diagram of the information flow-path fromballot to display through the memory;

FIG. 11 is an idealized block diagram of the information paths to andfrom the memory of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an idealized timing diagram correlating the marks on theballot to the output of a scanning circuit;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a drum counter;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a ballot timing counter;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of data input circuits;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a program checking circuit;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of drum output circuits;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of parity circuits;

FIG. 19 is an idealized diagram, partially in block, of a portion of thememory channels and the circuits adapted to read and write informationonto the drum;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a phase counter of the present invention;and

FIG. 21 is an idealized representation of successive information entriesinto the drum during various operational phases of the presentinvention.

The vote tallying machine of the present invention operates in threemajor phases, namely: programming, ballot processing, and vote read-out.These three major phases are further divided into twenty-four sub-phaseswhich control and time-sequence all operations. Some of these sub-phasesare additionally further divided into branching sub-sequences so thatdata may be serially examined for each ballot column.

Basically, however, the system might be broadly viewed as a combinationof an input mechanism 32, a data processing and memory device 34 and adisplay device 36. With reference to FIG. 1, the system is thererepresented as such a block and includes these elements. It will 6 beunderstood, that the preferred embodiment utilizes a magnetic drum as amemory store and which because of the dynamic characteristics of aserial drum memory, also can be readily adapted to perform both of thedata conditioning and computation as well.

A typical ballot 40 of the type used in the State of California is shownin FIG. 2a. It will be with reference to the tallying of votes cast withballots substantially similar to these that the present invention willbe explained.

There are three basic types of voting situations for which votes must berecorded by a ballot 4t Firstly, there is the election of officeseekers, where one or more from a group of candidates may be chosen. Thepresent invention is designed to prevent over voting, that is, forexample, if only two of a possible seven candid-ates are to be chosen,then no more than two markings will be permitted for that particularoffice. If more than two are found to be present on any ballot, themachine will entirely disregard this ballot as to such ofiice, if suchis the requirement of the local election laws. Voting of this first typemay usually occur in either of the first two relatively narrow columns42, 44 of the ballot 4d, and a voting box 46 is provided for eachcandidate with provision of extra spaces in which the names ofadditional candidates may be written in and voted for.

In addition to the voting for oifice seekers, the ballot 40 must alsoaccumulate the votes for or against specific measures or propositionsreferred for a decision to the electorate. Typically, in such aninstance, two boxes 4% are provided in connection with each measure, oneof which, if marked indicates a yes vote, and the other of which, ifmarked, indicates a no vote, on that particular measure. Such measuresare usually placed in the relatively wide column 5t), 52, of ballot 46.

Finally, there may be included in a ballot, a recall petition for therecall of a particular oificial. In such a circumstance, the ballot willordinarily include the name of one or more oflice seekers to replace theincumbent office holder, should the recall succeed. In suchcircumstance, the law usually requires and therefore the machine isdesigned to count the votes for the oifice seekers if and only if, theparticular voter has also voted properly on the question of the recallpetition. Either a YES or NO vote is required, but not both. Such asituation is indicated in the lower portion of the right hand column 52.

The ballot 40 is printed with black ink on various colored papers and istypical of those presently in use throughout the State of California.The most striking difference between ballot 4i) and those presently inuse, is the provision of a timing track 54 on the left hand side of theballot 49. In addition, predetermined horizontal alignment must bemaintained across the ballot. That is to say, the beginning and/ or theend of each possible measure across the ballot must be horizontallycoincided and the printed portion must not be skewed with respect to theedges of the paper. That is not to say, however, that a measure, such asthe first in the relatively wide, measure columns 5t 52, may not extendthrough several timing marks, which would correspond to spaces for votesfor office, in the first two, relatively narrow columns 42, 44. However,much of the space of these wider or higher positions in which a markmight be made by the voter, should be blocked out, so as to limit thearea in which the voter is permitted to mark the ballot, as for example,the proposition voting blocks 48.

The timing track 54, in accordance with the presently preferredembodiment of this invention, consists of a series of marking bars 56 orhorizontal lines, aligned in a vertical column. Each of these bars 56 isapproximately inch wide and /2 inch long. The top of each of the bars 56is aligned with the lower line at the bottom of each permissible votingsquare 46. These marking bars 56 are spaced vertically of an inch apart(from the top of one bar 56 to the top of the next bar 56, therebelow)thus making each voting box 46 approximately of an inch high. Inaddition, the vote marking area allotted to each voting position,whether for an office, a measure, or recall is made approximately of aninch wide.

The width of the ballot 4G is preferably either 8 inches or 14 inches.The width of each column should be a minimum of 2 /2 inches and may beas wide as a maximum of inches. In a preferred embodiment, up to fourcolumns are permitted. The longest ballot presently accepted by thepreferred embodiment is 24 inches. Within the scope of the presentinvention, machine might easily be devised which can handle ballots ofother lengths, widths, and internal configurations.

Thus, with the preferred embodiment, it is possible to have as many asfifty voting locations per column, assuming a 4 /2 inch heading on theoverall ballot. Ballots which are shorter than 24 inches will beaccepted by the machine, but in order to be able to readily instruct themachine, a shorter ballot, say one which is 16 inches long should have anumber of timing marks equal to a multiple of such as 20, 30 or 40.

The preferred embodiment has been designed to require a minimum numberof rules or boundary conditions, in the organization of the paperballot. The rules which are imposed include:

(1) No office may appear on more than one column; i.e. no continued innext column is permitted.

(2) There may be no more than ofiices and/or issues in each column.

(3) If a recall petition is on the ballot, the place on the ballot forthe alternate office seekers must follow, the yes or no vote for therecall petition without intervening oflices.

(4) There must always be one unused space of at least one voting squarebetween offices and measures. This space is usually occupied by theheading for the oifice being voted upon. In the case of measures, thespace may be provided by locating the yes and no voting space in such amanner that an unused space /8 of an inch by of on inch is providedabove and below the spaces wherein the voter may place his mark.

(5) The yes and no voting square spaces for each measure must always bedisposed one directly above the other, with no intervening space betweenthem.

The vote counting machine of the present invention permits any desiredpositioning of candidates and issues for any given election at eachpolling place providing the physical size and columnar division of thedifferent ballots is the same. The same machine can receive thesedifferently oriented ballots, and tabulate the votes of each correctly,provided that the machine is properly programmed for each group ofballots, all ballots are separated by group and each group it talliedindividually.

The means by which a program is introduced into the machine, is of theutmost simplicity, requiring no special skill on the part of theoperator. Also, any number of candidates for whom votes may be legallycast for a given office can be accommodated by the system of the presentinvention.

A set of three Programming Sheets is used to instruct the machine aboutthe format of a particular ballot and a typical Programming Sheet 49 isshown in FIG. 2b. The Programming Sheets must be the same size and havethe same column width as the ballots 40 to be used and should be printedat the same time. It is preferable to use a full grid of lines /8 of aninch apart on a Programming Sheet, whereby the lines in each column arenumbered from top to bottom, as shown and each has a voting box 46', 43corresponding to the ballot 4t) voting boxes 46, 48, respectively.

The timing track 5% is provided with one additional line, approximatelyan inch above the first line, for a total of 51 lines in the timingtrack 54 of the Programming Sheets 46'.

Above the heading of the grid Work are small square boxes 58approximately the same size as a voting square which are used toidentify the Programming Sheets. These code boxes are exactly in linewith the voting .squares 46, 48', at the grid work and also correspondto the number of columns on the ballot 4d, a box 58 appearing aboveevery column on the Programming Sheet 40 regardless of the number ofcolumns.

Three Programming Sheets 40' are used to program the machine.Programming is done by marking each of the Programming Sheets in usingthe standard marking device, in locations determined by the layout ofthe ballot 40. The ballot 44 can therefore be used as a guide inpreparing the Programming Sheets 40'. Preferably a ballot is placed on asurface illuminated from below and the Programming Sheet number 1 can beoverlaid. Either the ballot or Programming Sheet number 1 can be used asa guide to prepare Programming Sheets number 2 and number 3, but the useof a ballot is preferred. To avoid confusion, as soon as ProgrammingSheets are prepared for a particular ballot format, they should beclearly identified as corresponding to that format.

Programming Sheeet number 1 contains a mark in every voting location ofthe ballot in which a voting mark can be expected. This is to instructthe machine of the permissible voting locations. The code boxes 58 ontop of the grid work are completely filled in with a black mark; bestusing a black marking pencil. A large digit one should be then Writtenin the heading on top for convenience of the operator. In oneembodiment, using a four column ballot 40, Sheet number 1 was identifiedby marking the second and fourth boxes, Sheet number 2 had the first andthird boxes marked and Sheet number 3 had the third and fourth boxesmarked.

Programming Sheet number 2 is used to indicate the number of votes to beallowed for a particular ofiice. A vote for one office on the ballotwould receive a mark only in the first location of that ofiice onProgramming Sheet number 2. If a vote for two is permissible, the firstand second locations associated with that office on the ballot aremarked. Vote for X where X can be any number, is handled by marking thefirst X boxes in the required location.

The proper code boxes on top of the grid work to identify ProgrammingSheet number 2 are filled in black. Also write a large digit 2 in theheading on top.

Programming Sheet number 3 identifies a Recall Election issue wherebyeither a YES or NO vote is required on the recall question before a votefor a candidate is permitted. The Recall Issue is identified to themachine by marking the YES location on the recall proposition onProgramming Sheet number 3, the proper code boxes are filled in blackand a large digit 3 is written at the top of the sheet.

Turning next to FIG. 3, there is shown an overall view of a votetallying machine 6G according to the present invention. The machineincludes a feed chute 62 through which programming sheets and ballotsare fed into the machine for processing. The machine is enclosed by ametal cabinet 64 which serves to house the component part and to protectthem from unauthorized tampering. Removable panels 66 including locks 68provide a means for authorized access to the internal mechanism for thepurpose, for exampie, of adjusting the scanning mechanism for aparticular ballot configuration for setting a switch to determine theballot length.

A front panel 7d is provided with a plurality of control elements. Amongthem is a power toggle switch 72 and an associated power signal lamp 74,a ready lamp '76, which is illuminated after a predetermined timeintervai when the magnetic drum memory is running at operating speed. Areset push button 78 is provided to clear errors signalled by a feederror lamp 30 and a program error lamp 82. A buzzer, not shown, providesan audible alarm signal to supplement the visual alarm signal providedby the feed error lamp 80. A second, different audible alarm could beadded to supplement the program error lamp 82. A read push button 84 isused to command a display as will be explained in greater detail below.A multi-position rotatable switch 86 has six positions respectivelyassociated with different phases of the machines operation. In a firstposition, the phase selector switch 86 enables programming of themachine, in a second position ballotreading is enabling and in the thirdthrough sixth positions inclusive, each of four columns of a ballot canbe read from and vote totals displayed.

Continuing with the machines description and with further referen toFIG. 8, there is shown a better presentation of the display portion ofthe machine and the read out unit. On a display panel 90 there are aplurality of individual signal lamps 92 which are illuminated at varioustimes to indicate a course of action to be taken by the machineoperator. To the left, as viewed in FIG. 8, there are lamps associatedwith the feed of programming sheets and each is illuminated, in turn toindicate the next action to be taken by the operator. By the center ofthe panel, the main display lamps 88 are positioned and are adapted toprovide a display of decimal digits. On the right side of the displaypanel 90 is a single lamp 92 identified by the legend feed ballot and isilluminated whenever the machine is prepared to receive a ballot duringthe read phase of operation.

On the flat surface of the machine, intermediate the front panel 70 andthe display panel 90 is the read out mechanism 94 which includes a ReadOut Sheet 96 that is a substantial replica of the ballot for which themachine is programmed and a slider bar 98 with a cut out frame portion100 which is used to frame" a particular candidate or issue, the totalvotes associated with which it is desired to display.

Turning to FIG. 9, there is shown the remaining mechanism associatedwith the read out assembly 94 and includes a travelling position todigital encoder device made up of a plurality of snap action switches102 mounted on a vertical bar 104 that is connected to the slider bar98. A position encoder 106 is a flat metal plate 108 into which aplurality of holes 110 have been drilled, arranged in a plurality ofrows according to a binary coded pattern, each vertical columncorresponding to a different binary code. Each of the switches 102 isarranged to travel adjacent the plate and to change its contactconfiguration upon engaging a hole 111 A separate row of holes 112 inconjunction with a detent 114 mounted on the vertical bar 104 provides aplurality of detented positions in which the read out slider is heldsubstantially in place and in each detented position, the switches 102contact the plate 188 to provide a unique signal combinationrepresenting the position of the slider bar 98.

The ballot transport mechanism, which is used to carry a ballot throughthe machine for processing, is shown in side sectional view in FIG. 4and in a top view of FIG. 5.

The ballots are hand-fed into the feed chute 62 opening at the front ofthe machine 60 approximately 3 inches into the machine, until thetransport mechanism 120 can grip the ballot and pass it under scanningstation 122. Before passing under the scanning station 122, the ballotmust be aligned with its left-hand edge to be perpendicular to the lineof scanning, so that the timing marks 56, to the left of the ballot, canbe reliably related to the voting squares 46, 48.

The transport mechanism used is similar to that described in the abovementioned patent to Fechter et al., and consists of two or three belts124 moving at a uniform speed. In a preferred embodiment, the ballot isheld on top of the belts 124 by means of a number of /2 inch diametersteel balls 126, uniformly distributed along the entire length of thetransporting belts 124. The steel 19 balls 126 are held in a retainer128 over the belts 124 so that the balls 126 are free to rotate.

The alignment of the ballot is accomplished by the use of a chute whichdirects the ballot to a guiding edge 130 near the outside of theleft-hand belt. The edge is orthogonal to the line of the scanning headsand the direction of motion of the belts 124 is slightly skewed withrespect to the guide edge. The ballot, having a tendency to moveparallel with the belt 124 therefore moves towards the guiding edge 130until the ballot hits the guiding edge 130. The left-hand edge of theballot is continuously urged against the guiding edge 130. This guidingaction continues while any portion of the timing marks 56 or the votingsquares 46, 48 are under the scanning station 122. The scanning station122 includes a number of individual scanning heads 132 (two of which areshown), which are individually movable along a mounting bar 134 so thateach scanning head 132 can be aligned with a marking column 42, 44 onthe ballot 40 or Programming Sheet 48'. The mounting bar 134 isprecisely perpendicular to the guiding edge 13% near the outside of theleft-hand belt 124.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 where a scanning head 132 is shown ingreater detail, it will be noted that a scanning head 132 may includetwo photo diodes 136 mounted side by side in order to scan the totalarea of the voting box or square 46, 48. The area is illuminated by twominiature incandescent light bulbs 138, each individually adjustable forbrightness and mounted in advance of but shielded from the two photodiodes 136. The adjustment of the miniature light bulbs 138 is doneoutside the scanning head 132 by a controlling circuit (not shown).

As can be seen from FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the scanning head mounting bar 134is orthogonal to the left side guiding edge 130 approximately at themiddle of the machine 60. The scanning heads 132 are attached to themounting bar 134 with a machine screw 148 in front and positionedprecisely with a dowel pin 142 in the back. A hole pattern of a tappedhole and a reamed hole is repeated across the entire length of themounting bar 134 in /2 inch increments. The scanning heads 132 thereforecan be mounted in virtually any position on the bar, limited only by thehole pattern and the /2 inch increments.

The scanning heads 132 can be lifted out for servicing or relocating byremoving the screw 14%. For pre-election alignment, each of the heads132 are moved to the proper position so that they line-up with thecolumns of voting boxes as, 48 on the ballot 40.

The timing mark scanning head 132 always stays in the same relativehorizontal position and no adjustment is normally required. However, afront-to-back adjustment is provided by a sliding mount and a knurledlocking screw 144. Adjustment is required to establish the proper timingrelationship between timing marks and the voting box so that all validvotes can be properly ascribed to the proper candidate or proposition.

When a ballot or programming sheet is inserted into the machine, anumber of checks are made to determine that a good document has beenproperly fed. Of major importance is the need for the document to be fedface up with the top inserted first. By using two miniature snap actionswitches, Sx 146 and Sy 148 and taking advantage of the fact that allvalid documents have the top left corner removed Where normally thevoters receipt is removed by election officials and given to the voter,it is possible to make this determination.

It can be seen that Switch Sx 146 is mounted prior to or in advance ofthe lateral position of Switch Sy 148. The spacing is arranged so thatSy 148 closes first on a good ballot. However, if an improper ballot isfed or a proper ballot is fed incorrectly, Switch Sx 146 closes first,setting a Feed Error flip-flop (not shown) which prevents utilization ofany data from the ballot. This same test applies equally to both theballots and the Programming Sheets.

The timing marks 56 are used both to identify data taken from the ballotto program sheet counting marks, and to strobe or gate the voting marksinto the staticizing circuits as explained in greated detail inconnection with FIG. 12 below.

If for any reason one of these marks is not scanned (or an extra one isdetected) then the data presumably has been shifted and is probablyincorrect. Thus, at the end of the ballot, determined by the state of athird switch Sz 150 signalling that the ballot ha left the scanningstation 122 a check is made that a mark counter contains a numbercorresponding to the setting of a ballot length switch (not shown) onthe inside of the machine which determines the length of an expectedballot. The ballot length switch is set when the machine is adjustedprior to operation. The comparison is performed on both the ballots andprogram sheets and, in case of an error, the Feed Error flip-flop is setso that the data will not be utilized.

On the Programming Sheets 44), an additional check is made to determinethat the correct sheet is being fed at the proper time. The code boxesat the top of each column are selectively marked to generate a codepattern across each sheet. Wired into the logic of the unit is acorresponding pro-selected coding that must be matched by eachProgramming Sheet to permit operation to proceed. In case of failure toagree, the Feed Error flip-flop is again energized and the data is notutilized. This incidentally serves as a preliminary test of all of thescanning circuits since the code combinations are arranged to require amark and a no mark indication from each of the scanning heads 132 duringthe programming phase of the operation.

Turning next to FIG. there is shown an idealized diagram of the majorcomponents of the electronic counter portion of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the memory system of the vote counting unitconsists of a magnetic drum 160 and associated circuitry for both longand short time storage of data. The drum 160 rotates at 3600 rpm. andhas a clock rate of approximately 48 kc./s. The drum drive system is notshown.

The surface of the drum is divided into eight information channels D D162A162H which are used on a re-circulation basis of 500 bits ofinformation or data each. These 500 bits are obtained from 498 storagecells on the surface of the drum plus two bits of flip-flop storagewhich are used for logical analysis and for rewriting information on thedrum.

By recirculating the data in this manner, each bit of each channel isavailable approximately every ten milliseconds since the contents ofeach data cell are read as the drum moves past fixed read heads R -R164A 164H and information is written (after examination and possiblechanges) exactly 498 bit times up stream or prior to the read heads byset of second heads known as the write heads, W t/V 166A-166H.

Each column of a ballot is associated with two channels of the drum andthe re-circulating registers con tained thereon. One drum channel isused for long term storage of the program and the short term storage ofthe ballot votes and processing marks. The other drum channel is used tostore the cumulative total votes of each candidate or measure. The twocirculating registers associated with first Column of the ballot aredesignated A, 162A and E, 162E. Channel A, 1612A, is used for theprogram and E, 162E, is for the cumulative totals. Similarly, registersB, 162B, and F, 1621 are used with a second column of the ballot, and soon.

In addition to the eight recirculating registers on the drum 160, thereis also a permanently recorded clock channel 168 which has Writtenthereon 800 timing marks or bits which are read by a clock read head R170. The clock channel 168 is used for internal timing of the memorysystem and each mark Written therein corre- 12 sponds to an informationcell in the individual recirculating registers.

Stiil another recirculating channel is provided, designated the paritychannel P, 172 including a read head R 174, anda write head W 1'76. Theparity channel 172 is used in conjunction with a parity generatingsystem, described in greater detail below in connection with FIGS. 16and 17, which helps to prevent error in the systern.

As indicated in FIG. 10, information is scanned from a ballot 44) orprogram sheet 46' and is applied to an input logic circuit 178, theoutput of which is applied to the appropriate write head. At the propertime in the operational sequence of the machine information is eacl fromthe recirculating channels and is applied to an analyzing circuit 18%which re-records information on the drum. On demand, the contents of theaccumulator registers in channels D through D 162E-162H are applied to adecode circuit 182 which transmits information to the display device 88.

The recirculation path of an individual recirculating register, forexample, the A channel is indicated in FIG. 11. It is to be understoodthat channels B through H are substantially similar in structure andtherefore will not be separately described. Similar referencecharacters, with appropriate letter subscripts are used to describe thecorresponding elements associated with any of the other channels.

All information to be written in the channel is generated in an Achannel logic unit 182A which is controlled by a predeterminedcombination of signals read from the channel and from other, externalsources, such as the input logic circuit 178. At each bit time, thelogic circuit 182A applies a signal to a channel A Write flip-flop 184A,the output of which is applied to an A driver circuit 186A. The outputof the channel A driver circuit is applied to the W write head 166A andinformation is recorded in the A channel.

After a delay equivalent to 498 clock pulses the recorded bit ofinformation is read by the A read head R 164A and is applied to an Aamplifier 188A and staticized in a read A flip-lop 196A. The output ofthe read A flip-flop 190 A is then one of the inputs to the A logic unit182A and may be rewritten into the A channel.

Turning next to FIG. 12 and also with reference to FIG. 10, there isshown an idealized diagram, in partially graphical form, whichcorrelates the location, both in time and position, of ballot timingmarks 56, voting marks 49 in the appropriate voting squares 46, 48 thesignal output of the scanning head 132' associated with the timingcolumn 54, and with the signal output of a single scan head 132. As willbe seen, the scanning outputs are combined to produce a signal which isapplied to a staticizer prior to entry into the memory system.

This particular technique is sometimes known as strobing and isfrequently used in synchronous, selfclocked systems. In FIG. 5, above,it can be seen that the timing mark scan head 132' is slightly offset,in advance of the other scanning heads 132, so that a timing mark on aballot which coincides with the beginning of a voting square, generatesa signal corresponding to the timing mark, at a time when approximatelythe middle third of the next following voting square is aligned with theother scanning heads 132. When signals representing the presence of amark from the vote mark scanning heads 132 and the timing mark scanningheads 132 coincide, an output signal is provided, which is applied to asuitable staticizer.

in those instances when a voting mark 49 overlaps either the upper orlower border of the voting square, but has more than half of the markwithin a square, an appropriate gated signal is provided at the timecorresponding to the proper voting square. In such a case, the outputpulse is of shorter duration than would be the 13 case if the votingmark 49 were properly placed, entirely within a voting square.

Turning next to FIG. 13, to identify any particular bit that is readfrom the drum 160, a drum counter 191 consisting of ten flip-flops hasbeen provided. This counter consists of two portions, a bit counter 192which counts the bits with a word and a word counter 1940 which countswords.

The hit counter 192 is driven by and counts the system clock pulses fromthe clock track D 168 consisting of 800 evenly spaced bits. The bitcounter 192 generates the B through B9 timing pulses and contains fourflip-flops connected as a modulo ten counter. The word counter 194contains six flip-flops connected as a modulo-fifty counter and isdriven by the cycling of the bit counter 192. Therefore, by combiningoutput signals of the counter a unique pulse can be generated toidentify precisely, any one particular bit of data from the drum.

Both of these counters 192, 194 are synchronized at the time of powerturn-on by resetting all of the flip-flops to the off state representinga Zero count for both. The counters start counting at the closure of aswitching relay which is turned to close after the drum has gotten up tospeed.

In FIG. 14, there is shown in block form, a Ballot Timing Counter 196which is a straight binary counter consisting of six flip-flops. Thiscounter is used to define a particular candidate or proposition to theremainder of the system and corresponds each horizontal row on theballot or Programming Sheet to a memory address. The count output isused to generate a command to the memory system for the location of thecorresponding Words on the drum.

The timing marks 56 on the ballot are counted as they pass the scanninghead 132. As the ballot leaves the scanning area, as signalled by switchS 150, the Ballot Timing counter contains a count equal to the number ofmarks 56 scanned which is compared with the setting of an internalBallot length (not shown) switch which can be used to select one ofseveral possible ballot lengths. This counter 196 generates an addressduring both the programming and ballot reading phases of operation.

In addition, during the Vote Read-Out phase of operation, the BallotTiming counter 196 is used to address the location in the drumcontaining the vote total that is to be read out. This is accomplishedby presetting the counter, forcing it to a code combination specified bythe code switches 102 on the Read-Out Slider Hi4.

In all cases this counter contains an address of a desired drumlocation. As pointed out above, the Word Counter 194 at all timessignals the drum word being read from. A comparison is performed inbinary form without converting to the decimal equivalent between theBallot Timing Counter 196 and the Word Counter 194 and when there isagreement, a unique output signal is generated which then permitsreading or writing on the drum.

The block diagram of FIG. illustrates functionally how information istransmitted from a programming sheet or ballot to a storage cell in thememory drum. As pointed out above, the output of the word counter 194portion of the drum counter 190 is a plurality of signals representing abinary count which corresponds to the Word being read from the drum. Theoutput of the word counter 194 is applied to a comparison network 198.Simultaneously, the timing track scanning head 132' applies signals to atiming mark staticizer 2%, the output of which is applied to the BallotTiming counter. The output of the Ballot Timing counter 196 is alsoapplied to the comparison network 198.

The output of the timing mark staticizer 2130 is applied to a scanningcircuit 202 which is connected to the scanning heads 132 for each of thecolumns of the ballot. The output of the scanning circuit 202 is appliedto a voting mark staticizer 204 which staticizes and holds the output ofthe individual scanning heads 132.

When a signal from the comparison network 198 indicates that the numberin the Ballot Timing counter 196 is equal to the number in the Wordcounter 194 the contents of the voting mark staticizer 204 are gatedinto the A Write logic block 182A, for subsequent transmission, at theproper bit time, to the write A flip-flop 184A. This assures that thevoting marks are written into the program channels in the proper wordassociated with the particular candidates voting block, being scanned.

Turning next to FIG. 16, during the portion of the program that thesecond of each pair of programming sheets is being read, the contents ofthe recirculating register are compared with the contents of the secondprogramming sheet, as detected by the scanning heads 132 under controlof the timing mark scanning head 132. When the address of the drum wordcounter 194 coincides with the count of the Ballot Timing counter 196 asindicated by the comparison network 198, a signal enables a bit by bitcomparison of the memory with the programming sheet. If the storedprogram differs from the sheet, a program error flip-cop 206 istriggered to give an alarm.

Similarily, for reading out totals from the accumulator registers Ethrough H, on a selective, one at a time basis, and with reference toFIG. 17, an address comparison is made to gate the contents of a desiredaccumulator word of selected register into a Binary Vote Counter 208which then stores the contents. So long as the stored count is not equalto zero, each Clock pulse Cl simultaneously counts down the Binary VoteCounter 208 and counts up a Decimal Vote Counter 21-11 which isconnected, through decoding logic 211 to the three decimal decadedisplay 88.

Turning next to FIG. 18 there is shown a Parity System 212 indiagrammatic form. A first parity generator 214 receives inputs from allof the data register write flip-flops and generates a single parity bitfor storage in the parity channel D 172. The output of the paritychannel 172 is read into a parity comparison network 216 and iscompared, each bit time, with the output of the eight data registerflip-flops which are applied to a second parity generator 218. If thedata stored on the drum is of correct parity, the parity comparisonnetwork 216 should indicate agreement at all times.

If, at any time, the output of the second parity generator 218 is notidentical to that of the parity channel 172, an output is provided whichsets the program error flipflop 2%.

With reference next to FIG. 19, there is shown a stylized representationof portion of the A and E channels 162A, 162E of the drum.

Each recirculating register of the channels is sub-divided into fiftysections, each representing one of the fifty possible items in a ballotcolumn. These sections are called words and are identified as W-1through W-St). A further sub-division of these words is made into tencells or bits each and are identified as B-0 through B-9.

For recirculating registers D through D the follow ing identifies theuse of the various bit cells, these being the same for each word:

TABLE I B-tl-not used B1permissible voting location B2-permissible votesB3-recall B5vote inhibit B-dvote storage B7not used TABLE IContinuedB-8overvote mark B9used to store forty-nine ls error detection purposes.

Bit cells Bll, B2, and B3 are used to store the program for a particularprecinct. The interim storage of the ballot vote and processing marks isprovided at cells B5, B6, and B-8. The remaining four cells are notnormally used, but are provided to make these words the same length asthe corresponding words in the accumulator registers E-H.

In the accumulator register of channels D through D only the totalnumber of votes received is stored and the individual cells are weightedin binary fashion so as to accommodate numbers up to 1023, as follows:

and one for TABLE II B(): 2 or 1 B: 2 or 32 13-1: 2 or 2 13-6: 2 or 64B2: 2 or 4 13-7: 2 or 128 B-3: 2 or 8 B8: 2 or 256 13-4: 2 or 16 13-9: 2or 512 Thus, treating the several cells of an accumulator register wordas a counter, any number, representing the total votes received from aprecinct, less than 1023, may be stored. This capacity is more thanadequate in California for example since the California Election Codeprovides for a maximum of 600 voters in any one precinct.

As indicated in FIG. 19, a computation logic block 226 is shown betweenthe read flip-flops 190A, 196E and the write flip-flops 134A, 184E. Thecomputation logic block 220 includes of course the individual writelogic units 182A through H. To aid in reader understanding the contentsof the computation logic block will not be described in terms ofphysical components, but rather will be described below in terms of thelogical equations which determined the output of the block for eachcombination of input signals. As is well known, suitable mechanizationcan be derived from any complete set of logical equations which willresult in operating equipment that will perform in accordance with theequations.

In FIG. 20, there is set out in a block diagrammatic form, the phasecounter 227 which determines the operation of the machine of the presentinvention. Physically, the phase counter is made up of a ring oftwenty-four flip-flops, only one of which, at any time, is in the set or1 representing stable state. Within the computation logic block 220 isthe necessary logic to trigger each succeeding flip-flop of the ring.

In the following discussion, the operation of the machine will bediscussed and the logical equation necessary for machine operation willbe set forth using the following symbols:

TABLE III P-00 through P23, incl. represents individual phase ringflip-flop TSignal from ballot timing WWord G-Permissible mark NDecimalVote Counter Q-Binary Vote Register In the discussion of the variousphases below, each discussion will include a statement of the logicalexpression which caused the particular phase flip-flop to be set. Itshould be noted that the setting of one phase flip-flop clears the priorflip-flop and preconditions the setting for the succeeding phaseflip-flop.

There are three major phases of operation in the processing of ballotsfrom each precinct, which are subdivided into twenty-four individualphase counts, Foil-P23.

To generate these phase counts the Phase Counter 222 is providedconsisting of twenty-four flip-flops and related gating circuitsconnected as a ring counter so as to control and time the sequency ofall major operations of the system. Operating in conjunction with thisphase counter is the Column Control sub counter 224 which identifies theparticular column that is being processed at any one time. This steppingcounter is composed of four flip-flops and their related gatingcircuits.

(1) Programming This operation includes phase counts P-tltl throughP437. After the machine has been set up, power turned on and thepreliminary checks satisfactorily completed; it is necessary to programor instruct the unit as the type of ballots that are to be processed.This is accomplished by feeding in six previously prepared ProgramSheets 40 in two sets of three. Each set is prepared independently toreduce the possibility of human error. The first sheet of a pair enablesthe machine to record the data and the second permits a box-by-box checkof the recorded data.

Certain other checks are performed during this operation, such as theproper functioning of the scanning heads 132 as each is required torecognize code boxes 58 in accordance with a previously determinedconfiguration. If an error is detected, either because the ProgrammingSheets 4ft can not be correctly stored and compared or because of a badscanning head 132, the condition is indicated by the Program Error lamp82 which is controlled by the Program Error flip-flop 206. The correctprocedure then is to clear the machine by turning the power off and onto re-start the programming phase. After all three pairs ProgrammingSheets 40' have been processed successfully, the machine is ready toprocess ballots 40.

P00System clean-This is the phase assumed by the unit at system powerturn on and it causes reset of all other phase and control flip-flops.

P01Read programming sheet #1.After approximately ten seconds of warm-uptime (as determined by a thermal delay relay K1 [not shown] which closesa switching relay K3 [not shown] and the Phase Selector Switch 86 on thefront panel 70 in the Program position, the phase counter advances toP-01. At this time the first Programming Sheet --#l is fed through theunit, and the data is stored on the magnetic drum. This programmingsheet programs or instructs the machine as to the permissible vote boxes46, 43 of the ballot 40.

Each of the three programming sheets 40 has a different code pattern inthe code boxes 58 above the columns so that the machine can recognizewhich of programming sheets is being fed. If a sheet is not fed at thecorrect time, the data from it will not be stored and an alarm is given.The code boxes 58 serve as a source of known data with which to test theproper operation of the scanning circuits 202.

P02Check first program sheet.The satisfactory feeding and reading of thefirst Programming Sheet #1 (including both proper insertion and correctnumber of timing marks on the ballot) advances the phase counter to P02.In this phase count the second Programming Sheet #1 is fed through for abox-by-box of the data stored on the magnetic drum against theprogramming sheet.

P03Read first programming sheet #2.The satisfactory feeding and reading(including the exact agreement of the box-by-box check) of the secondProgramming Sheet #1 advances the phase counter to P-tl3. The firstProgramming Sheet #2. is fed through and data is stored on the magneticdrum. This programming sheet instructs the machine as to the number oflegal votes to be permitted for each office or measure on the ballot.

P04-Check second programming sheet #2.The satisfactory feeding of thefirst Programming Sheet #2 1 7 advances the phase counter to P-04 and ina similar manner the second Programming Sheet #2 is fed for theboxby-box check.

P05Read first programming sheet #3.In a similar manner, the satisfactoryfeeding of the second Programming Sheet #2 advances the phase counter toP-OS. The first Programming Sheet #3 is fed and the data stored so as toinstruct as to any recall questions.

P-06-Check second programming sheet #3.As before, the satisfactoryfeeding of the first Programming Sheet #3 advances the phase counter toP06 where the second sheet #3 is fed for the box-by-box check.

P07Wait.The satisfactory feeding of the second Programming Sheet #3advances the phase counter to P-07. This completes the programming phaseof the operation and a complete set of instructions are now stored whichwill enable the machine to process the ballots from a precinct. In thisWait phase, these instructions are recirculated on the magnetic drum.

(II) Ballot processing This operation consists of phase counts P-08through P-19. Each ballot is fed through the unit once for the completereading and analysis of all voting marks. As the ballot moves past thereading heads, its speed is automatically controlled to a fixed,pre-determined rate. The four scanning heads 132 and correspondingcircuits (one for each column) read the voters marks 49 and signalsrepresenting these marks are stored on the magnetic drum in relation tothe timing marks printed on the left margin of the ballot and read bythe timing mark scanning head 132'.

Following the reading of the ballot, it is necessary to check everyoifice and measure for overvotes and to check for proper voting on anyrecall question. Any such improper voting will invalidate thatparticular office or measure, but not the remainder of the ballot, andit necessary to write an inhibit mark on the drum so that these voteswill not be added to the running totals during the updating operation.

The running totals for each candidate and measure are stored in binaryform on the drum. The updating opera tion requires only a cycling of thedata registers on the drum so that each vote can be added to the totalfor that candidate. If overvote or improper recall inhibit markers arepresent, no updating occurs and the old totals are rewritten withoutchange. After the complete updating of the totals, the machine recyclesto the start of the ballot processing phase, P-08. Displays the totalnumber of ballots processed and waits to receive the next ballot.

P08Display number of ballots fed.-The changing of the Mode Switch fromthe Program position to Read advances the phase counter from P07 to P-08which enables the unit to read a ballot when it is presented.

Following the updating of the ballot votes, a conversion from binary tobinary-coded-decimal is made of the number of ballots that have beenread. When the Binary Vote Counter 208 has counted down to zero, thephase counter on the next Clock Pulse advances to P-08 from P-19. TheDecimal Vote Counter 210 contents are then displayed in the viewingWindows on the top of the unit and this is the number of ballots thathave been processed up to this time. Primarily, the machine is waitingto receive the next ballot.

P09Read ballot.The proper insertion of a ballot into the unit, face upwith the top inserted first, as deter mined by switches Sx 146 and Sy148, advances the phase counter to P09 during which the ballot is readand the votes are temporarily stored on the magnetic drum. On thissingle pass the entire ballot is read, as there is a scanning circuitprovided for each column.

If the ballot is not properly inserted, a Feed Error results with theFeed Error Lamp 80 being turned on. No data from the scanning circuit isutilized. To re- 18 establish operation, it is only necessary to pressthe Reset Button 78 and re-feed the ballot.

P10-Synchronize.The ballot leaving the Read Station (as determined byswitch Sz) advances the Phase counter to P-10 during which the phasecounter waits for signals which synchronize it to the magnetic drum.During the forthcoming analysis of the votes from the ballot, it isnecessary for the phase counter and magnetic drum to operate insynchronism.

P11C0mpute overvote.-The last pulse of the current drum turn, which isidentified as the last or B9 bit of W50, the last word is recognizedwhich advances the phase counter to P-11. At this time the ColumnControl Counter 224 comes into use. Up to this point, all operationshave been parallel by columns. During P11, the operation is serial bycolumns. Column counter 224 is set to P-A.

In accordance with the Election Code of the State of California, forexample, a number of candidates may be elected to particular offices.Thus, it is necessary to determine for each ofiice, if the legal orpermissible number of votes for that ofiice has been exceeded. Ifexceeded, all votes for that oflice must be ignored, but the remainderof the ballot may still be valid and therefore should be tabulated.

During Phase Count P-11, the machine starts a series of operations todetermine overvoting, if any. If more than the permitted votes have beencast for any office then inhibit marks must be generated to prevent theentry of any of them. Examining the organization of the words in the A-Dchannels of the drum, for any ofiice, the number of B-2 cells with bitsstored therein represents the permissible number of votes for thatoffice. In the B6 cells, the actual votes are stored. Therefore, allinformation required for the overvote determination is stored on thedrum.

In order to extract this information from the drum so that it may beutilized, two flip-flop counters are provided, a G counter to count thepermissible number of votes, and a second H counter to count the actualvotes cast. The counts are compared, for each ofiice to determine if theactual votes exceed the permissible votes. Is so, a control flip-flop isset corresponding to the office which in turn causes an overvote mark tobe written in the remaining B8 cell of the particular office. Uponcompletion of Column A, the column counter advances to P-B, the phasecounter remaining in P-ll and Column B is examined in a similar manner.The same procedure is followed throughout Columns C and D.

PI2Compute improper recall voting-Upon the completion of the overvotecomputation on Column D the phase counter advances to P-12 and thecolumn counter returns to P-A. Beginning with Column A an examination ismade to determine if there has been compliance with the appropriaterules. Proper voting requires either a YES or NO vote, but not both. Inorder to be permitted to vote on the replacement candidate, the votermust either favor or oppose the recall, and have voted accordingly. Thisexamination is performed by four flipfiops which temporarily store theexistence of a recall question and the voting on the question. If fromthis analysis, it is determined that the recall vote is improper, anerror mark is written in the B-8 cells of the next oflice, whichassigned to the replacement candidates to indicate that these are notvalid votes as defined by the Election Code. Following the pass throughColumn A, the column counter advances and the other columns are examinedin sequence.

P13Load inhibit vote update register.After the improper recallexamination of Column D, the phase counter advances to P-13 and thecolumn counter resets to PA. Beginning with Column A an examination ismade for any overvote or improper recall marks that have been recordedin B8 cells of the drum and any such marks are then transferred to agroup of U flip-flops, each corresponding to one of the fifteen possibleoffices per column which here are termed an Inhibit Register. The properflip-flop of this Register is gated by the G flip-flops now functioningas an Office Counter which counts the offices as the pass through ColumnA is made.

The completion of the loading of the Inhibit Register for Column Aadvances the phase counter to P-14 without affecting the column counter.

P]4Write inhibit marks.The completion of the loading of the InhibitRegister from Column A advances the phase counter to P14, but the columncounter remains at P-A. The inhibit marks stored in the Inhibit Registerare now rewritten on the drum for each candidate for the office in therespective B5 cells, under the control of the Office Counter so thateach mark is limited to the improperly voted office. This operationresults in an inhibit mark prior to each vote that is not to be countedinto the total. At the completion of the operaion for Column A, thephase counter returns to P-13 and the column counter advances to PB. TheInhibit Register is next loaded with the inhibit marks from Column B andthese are subsequently rewritten. In a similar manner Columns C and Dare processed. After Column D inhibit marks have been written on thedrum, the counter goes to P-15.

P-J5Update cumulative ttals.After all columns have been adjusted so asto have the inhibit marks at the start of the offices, the phase counteradvances to P15 where the cumulative totals are to be increased for eachcandidate that received a valid vote from the last ballot. Under thecontrol of the column counter, each column is processed in sequence.

During this phase, words in channels AD that have no marks in the Bcells add the contents of the B6 cell into the associated accumulatorregister of channels E-H.

P-16Add one to ballots fecL-The updating of cumulative totals advancesthe phase counter to P16 at which time the accumulator Word on themagnetic drum, storing the number of ballots fed, is increased by one torepresent that a good ballot has just been read and the totals updated.This total is maintained in the first word of the E channel, W1 whichwould otherwise correspond to the title block of the first electiveoffice of channel A.

P17Clear out ola' v0tes.After updating the number of ballots fed, thephase counter advances to P-17 and all of the old votes and inhibitmarks are erased from cells B5, B6 and B8 of the short term storage ofchannels A-D on the magnetic drum. The remaining program informationfound in cells B1, B2 and B3 are not erased nor are the cumulativetotals of channels E-H erased. This prepares the system for receivingthe votes from the next ballot.

If a feed error had resulted when the ballot was fed, the pressing ofthe Reset Button on the control panel automatically advances the phasecounter to P-17, and all of the data from the improperly inserted ballotis erased from the drum.

P18Preset binary vote c0unter.After the old vote data has been clearedfrom the temporary drum storage, the phase counter advances to P-18. Thenumber of ballots fed is taken from the accumulator register word W1 ofchannel E in binary form and is used to preset the Binary Vote Counter208.

P-19C0nvert binary to decimal.-Following the setting of the Binary VoteCounter 208, the phase counter advances to P-19. The Binary Vote Counter208 is then pulsed to count down in synchronism with the Decimal VoteCounter 210 which counts up. Since the Decimal Counter starts at zero,it will contain the decimal number of ballots fed when the binarycounter reaches zero.

From this phase count, the unit resets to the condition prior to thefeeding of the last ballot, that is, it displays the number of ballotsfed and waits for the next ballot to be inserted into the unit.

20 (III) Vote read-out This operation includes phase counts P-20 throughP 23. Upon completion of the processing of all ballots for a precinct,the totals can be obtained from the unit for each candidate or measure.This is accomplished by selecting a column with the phase selectorswitch 86 and framing a name by the Slider 98 and then pressing theRead-Out Button 84. The totals appear in the windows at the top of theunit.

P20-Wait.Following the processing of all ballots of a precinct, thechanging of the Phase Selector Switch 86 from Read to the selection ofone of the columns for read-out, advances the phase counter to P20. Inthis phase count, the machine waits for the slider (which frames thename of one candidate) to be positioned and the Read-Out Button 84pressed.

A printed form, preferably a ballot identical to the ballots beingtabulated, is designated the Read-Out sheet 40 and is mounted on top ofthe unit under a clear plastic cover. The Read-Out sheet 40 is properlyaligned so that the movable slider Bar 98 with the cut-out window 100can frame the name of each candidate when moved to that position.

Read-Out of vote totals is accomplished by rotating the Phase SelectorSwitch 8% to the number corresponding to the column to be read fromwhich illuminates an indicator light above the appropriate column of theRead-Out sheet. This light is intended to correspond the position of thecontrol panel switch with the column being read from.

The Slider Bar 98 is then moved to frame the name of a candidate.

P21Preset binary vote c0unter.The pressing of the Read-Out Button 84advances the phase counter to P-21.

From the six switches 102, on the Slider Bar 98, a code pattern isgenerated that addresses one word on the drum in which the vote totalfor the corresponding candidate has been stored. This code combinationforces the Ballot Timing Counter 1% to the proper address. Agreementbetween this counter and the Word Counter 194 causes generation of asignal that gates data from the drum into the Binary Vote Counter 208.

P22C0nvert binary t0 decimal-With the advance of the phase counter toP22 the Binary Vote Counter is counted down while a Decimal Vote Counteris counted up. Each counter is activated by the system clock pulse.Since the Decimal Counter starts at Zero and continues counting untilthe Binary Counter reaches zero at that time the Decimal Counter willcontain the correct number of votes.

P-23Display vote t0tals.When the Binary Vote Counter 208 reaches a valueof Zero, the phase counter is advanced on the next clock pulse to P23and counting is stopped. The number in the accumulator is converted frompure binary to four bit binary-coded-decimal format with bits havingweights of 2 2 2 and 2.

From the binary-coded-decimal format, a one-of-ten selection is made.Each of these ten outputs is coupled through a power amplifier topresent a display of the proper digit in the display windows 88.

Although many displays are available, in the preferred embodiment, alens and mask system projects a digit on a screen corresponding to theactivated one of a plurality of light sources.

This number is displayed as long as desired; that is, until the Read-OutButton is released and another candidates vote totals are commanded tobe read-out.

After the recording of the precinct vote of a candidate in a suitablepermanent record, release of the Read-Out Button causes the phasecounter to reset to P20 from P-23. At this time the machine waits forthe selection of a next candidates name and pressing of the Read-0utButton 84.

1. A MACHINE FOR TALLYING VOTES, SAID MACHINE BEING OPERABLE INCONJUNCTION WITH A BALLOT HAVING THE VOTES EXPRESSED THEREON AS VOTER''SMARK IN PREDETERMINED VOTING LOCATIONS CORRESPONDING TO SELECTEDALTERNATIVES, SAID MACHINE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: VOTE SIGNALLINGMEANS OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO THE SENSING OF EACH APPLIED BALLOT TOENABLE A SERIALLY SCANNING ALL OF THE VOTING LOCATIONS THEREON FORSIGNALLING THE PRESENCE AND ABSENCE, RESPECTIVELY, OF VOTER''S MARKS INEACH SUCH LOCATION; STORAGE MEANS COUPLED TO SAID VOTE SIGNALLING MEANSAND RESPONSIVE TO SIGNALS THEREFROM DURING THE PASSAGE OF EACH VOTINGLOCATING TO GENERATE AND STORE SELECTIVELY IN ONE OF A PLURALITY OFFIRST STORAGE LOCATIONS, RESPECTIVELY CORRESPONDING THE VOTING LOCATIONBEING SCANNED, A FIRST SIGNAL REPRESENTING THE PRESENCE OF A VOTING MARKAND A SECOND SIGNAL REPRESENTING THE ABSENCE OF A VOTING MARK,ALTERNATIVELY; SAID STORAGE MEANS INCLUDING COUNT STORAGE MEANS FORCONTINUOUSLY STORING IN A PLURALITY OF SECOND LOCATIONS, EACHRESPECTIVELY CORRESPONDING TO A VOTING LOCATION, NUMBER SIGNALSREPRESENTING AN ACCUMULATED TOTAL OF VOTES CAST IN EACH SUCH VOTINGLOCATION FROM PREVIOUSLY APPLIED BALLOTS; AND VOTE COUNTING MEANSCOUPLED TO SAID STORAGE MEANS AND OPERABLE AFTER THE PASSAGE OF EACHBALLOT AND IN RESPONSE TO STORAGE MEANS SIGNALS TO GENERATE AND STORE INSAID COUNT STORAGE MEANS NEW NUMBER SIGNALS REPRERESENTING THEACCUMULATED NUMBER OF VOTES CAST IN EACH VOTING LOCATION, INCREASED BYANY VALID VOTES CAST ON THE BALLOT JUST SCANNED.